April 20, 2010

Texas RB Vondrell McGee gets one-game suspension after DWI arrest

Texas running back Vondrell McGee has been suspended for at least one game next season, coach Mack Brown announced today, because of the player’s Sunday arrest for driving while intoxicated.

McGee, 21, became the fourth different Longhorns’ football player arrested since November when he was pulled over Sunday at 3:07 a.m. in Austin and charged with DWI. The arrest report filed by the Department of Public Safety said McGee posted Breathalyzer readings of 0.125 and 0.126. Both figures are above the Texas legal limit of 0.08.

McGee, who will be a senior next fall, was charged with a class B misdemeanor. It carries a maximum fine of $2,000 and/or a jail term of up to 180 days. In a statement issued today, Brown said school officials will investigate the situation and McGee “will miss at least the first game next season and will be working with the scout team until he is eligible to play.”

Texas opens its season Sept. 4 against Rice at Reliant Stadium in Houston. If the length of the suspension is not increased, McGee would be able to play Sept. 11 against Wyoming in Austin.

McGee, who rushed for 300 yards and two touchdowns in reserve duty last season, becomes the fourth different player to be arrested since Nov. 15, when running back/kick returner D.J. Monroe was cited for DWI. Monroe’s charges were dropped in December and he was reinstated to the team after serving a three-game suspension.

Former player Marcus Harris was arrested Nov. 28 for DWI and announced plans to transfer after the season. Former player Brandon Collins was dismissed from the team after his Jan. 2 arrest on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity and aggravated robbery.

In an unrelated development, two Texas players announced plans to transfer and were released Tuesday to seek other schools: defensive end Russell Carter and safety Ben Wells. Both players would have been juniors next fall. In statements distributed by school officials, both players cited a desire for more playing time as their reasons for leaving Texas.